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NEWS RELEASE, 25 AUGUST 2015
HALF YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE
2015
Antofagasta plc CEO Diego Hernández said:
“With our robust balance sheet and cash generative operations we are well positioned for the current low point
in the copper price cycle. Our position has recently been improved by the sale in June of our water division and
this position of financial strength allows us to view the current trading environment both as a time that presents
opportunities, as well as a time of challenge.
“Last month we announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in the world-class Zaldívar copper mine in Chile.
Zaldívar is a high-quality asset that, on completion, will boost the Group’s production and will be accretive to
earnings and cash flow. This was a rare opportunity to acquire a good-quality copper asset, and we took it. We
expect the new joint venture with Barrick Gold at Zaldívar to leverage the expertise of both companies and that
improvements from operational and administrative synergies will be achieved and, in the longer term, additional
upside will be realised following further exploration of the mine’s resources.
“Operationally we continue to focus on delivering the Antucoya mine, which is due to start production in Q3
2015 and, together with Zaldívar and the expansion of Centinela Concentrates, is expected to translate into a
period of steady growth through 2016. We are also studying further development options in our principal mining
districts at Los Pelambres and Centinela, which will generate a pipeline of growth opportunities over the coming
years.
“Throughout this period of lower copper prices Antofagasta has had a rigorous approach to cost control at our
operations and we are on-track to make $160 million savings in 2015. Good-quality assets and tight capital
discipline means we can weather the current downturn and maintain our competitive position in this challenging
environment and when the copper cycle begins to recover, we will enjoy healthy margin growth.”
Financial performance
Revenue was $1,785.9 million, 31.4% lower than in the H1 2014 following significant declines in copper and
by-product prices and lower sales volumes due to delayed shipments from bad weather
EBITDA was $561.6 million, a 48.6% decline reflecting the lower revenue which was partly offset by a
18.9% decrease in operating costs
Total operating costs were $1,224.3 million, $284.0 million lower than in H1 2014 of which $198 million
was due to a reduction in costs and the balance was due to lower volumes
Net earnings from continuing operations, were $86.3 million, in line with the decrease in EBITDA with
improved net finance expenses and lower taxes
Operating cash flow was $807.7 million compared with $1,170.0 million in the H1 2014
Interim dividend of 3.1 cents per share, representing a 35% pay-out ratio of the half year net earnings
Capital expenditure was $595.9 million, down from $767.3 million in first six months of 2014
Group attributable net cash was $1,030.5 million, increased by the proceeds from the sale of the water
division
Operational performance
Group copper production in H1 2015 was 303,400 tonnes, 13% lower than in the same period last year
primarily due to the impact of the protests at Los Pelambres and the heavy rains at Centinela in Q1
Copper sales for the half year were 290,100 tonnes
as bad weather delayed shipments over the period
end. These normalised in July
Group cash costs before by-product credits were $1.88/lb, in line with 2014 as improvements in costs
were offset by lower production
Group net cash costs were $1.53/lb, up 4.8% compared to 2014 primarily reflecting lower gold production
and lower realised molybdenum prices at Los Pelambres
Group production guidance for the year is 665,000 tonnes reflecting the delayed commissioning and
ramp-up at Antucoya. Groramp-up net cash cost guidance for the year is $1.47/lb as a result of lower production and
lower by-product prices
Project update
Antucoya first production delayed to the end of Q3 due to commissioning issues relating to the crusher
circuit
Environmental Impact Assessments (“EIA”) submitted for approval on the Centinela Second Concentrator
and under preparation on the Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion project
Construction of Encuentro Oxides is underway with first production expected in late 2016
Feasibility study on the molybdenum plant at Centinela completed
with first production expected in the
Q1 2017
Zaldivar Acquisition
50% interest in the Zaldivar copper mine in Chile acquired from Barrick Gold Corporation is expected to be
earnings and cash flow accretive. Total consideration of $1.0 billion, $980 million to be paid at closing
(expected end of 2015) with the balance paid in equal annual instalments of $5 million each during the
following five years
SIX MONTHS ENDING 30 JUNE
2015
2014
%
Group revenue
$m
1,785.9
2,601.8
(1)(31.4)
EBITDA
(2)$m
561.6
1,093.5
(1)(48.6)
Earnings per share
cents
8.8
31.2
(1)(71.9)
Dividend per share
cents
3.1
11.7
(73.5)
Cash flow from operations
$m
807.7
1,170.0
(31.0)
Group attributable net cash at period end
(3)$m
1,030.5
403.5
155.4
Average realised copper price
$/lb
2.54
3.08
(17.5)
Copper sales
kt
290.1
343.3
(15.5)
Gold sales
koz
106.0
125.2
(15.3)
Molybdenum sales
kt
4.4
3.2
37.5
Cash costs before by-product credits
(4)$/lb
1.88
1.87
0.5
Net cash costs
$/lb
1.53
1.46
4.8
(1) Restated to exclude the results from discontinued operations (the water division) for the period
(2) EBITDA refers to Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation and is calculated by adding back depreciation, amortisation, profit or loss on disposals and impairment charges to operating profit from subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the half yearly results below.
(3) Cash refers to the total of cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments, as analysed in Note 18 to the half yearly results below.
(4) Cash cost is a method used by the mining industry to express the cost of production in US dollars per pound of copper and is further explained in Note 22(b) to the half yearly results below.
Investors – London Public Relations Advisors - London
Andrew Lindsay alindsay@antofagasta.co.uk Carole Cable antofagasta@brunswickgroup.com
Paresh Bhanderi pbhanderi@antofagasta.co.uk Robin Wrench antofagasta@brunswickgroup.com
Telephone +44 20 7808 0988 Telephone +44 20 7404 5959
Investors – Santiago Media – Santiago
Alfredo Atucha aatucha@aminerals.cl Pablo Orozco porozco@aminerals.cl
Telephone +56 2 2798 7000 Carolina Pica cpica@aminerals.cl Telephone +56 2 2798 7000
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DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
FINANCIAL
Group revenues for the first six months of the year were $1,785.9 million, 31.4% lower than in the same period
last year reflecting the 17.8% fall in realised copper prices as well as lower by-product revenues and the 15.5%
decrease in sales volumes.
EBITDA for the current period was $561.6 million, a 48.6% decrease on the comparative period in 2014,
primarily reflecting the lower revenues, partly offset by lower operating costs and lower production. This has
resulted in earnings per share from continuing operations for the period of 8.8 cents per share, a 71.9%
decrease compared with the comparative period.
The sale of the water division in June for $947.3 million (following completion adjustments) and the division’s
results are reported as discontinued operations and 2014’s results have been restated to reflect this.
The interim ordinary dividend of 3.1 cents per share, represents a 35% pay-out of the half year earnings per
share for continuing operations.
PRODUCTION AND COSTS
Group copper production in the first half of 2015 was 303,400 tonnes, 12.9% lower than in the same period last
year primarily due lower grades as expected and lower throughput and recoveries at Los Pelambres. Group
gold production was 112,500 ounces in the first six months of the year, 11,300 ounces less than in the first half
of 2014 due to lower production at Los Pelambres. Molybdenum production at Los Pelambres was 4,700 tonnes
in the first half of 2014, compared with 3,300 tonnes in the first six months of 2014, principally due to a higher
molybdenum-grade zone being mined during Q2 2015.
Total operating costs for the first half of 2015 were $1,224.3 million, 18.8% or $284.0 million less than in the
equivalent period in 2014. Some 30% of the decrease was due to the fall in volumes and the balance of $198
million was due to reduced costs, including lower energy prices and foreign exchange savings.
Group cash costs before by-product credits in the first half of 2015 at $1.88/lb were flat compared with the
same period last year.
Net cash costs for the first half of 2015 at $1.53/lb were 4.8% higher than the same period last year again due
primarily to lower gold production and lower realised molybdenum prices at Los Pelambres.
WATER DIVISION SALE
As previously announced, the Group sold Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (ADASA), its water division, to Empresas
Públicas de Medellín (EPM) on 2 June 2015 for a total cash consideration of $947.3 million after completion
adjustments and before taxes and transaction costs. The division contributed $18.9 million to the Group’s 2015
profits before tax up until the date of sale, with EBITDA of $24.3 million. The gross assets of the division as of
the date of sale were $225.9 million.
The sale will allow Antofagasta to focus more closely on its core business and advance its various development
projects, whilst reinforcing the strength of its balance sheet.
ZALDIVAR ACQUISITION
On 30 July the Company announced it had entered into a definitive agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation
(“Barrick”) under which Antofagasta will acquire a 50% interest in Compañia Minera Zaldívar Limitada
(“Zaldivar”), and will become the operator of the Zaldivar copper mine.
Zaldivar is an open-pit, heap-leach copper mine located in Northern Chile with over 20 years of operating
history. In 2014, Zaldivar produced approximately 100,000 tonnes of copper at a net cash cost of $1.79/lb, and
generated $244 million of income before income tax. As reported by Barrick, as of 31 December 2014, Zaldivar
has 2.5 million tonnes of contained copper in proven and probable reserves, which supports a current reserve
life of approximately 14 years, with further upside potential through exploration.
Total consideration for the transaction is $1,005 million in cash, which consists of $980 million upon closing,
subject to customary adjustments, and five annual payments of $5 million per year, starting in 2016. The
transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Antofagasta’s earnings and cash flow per share.
TAX
As previously announced, in September 2014 a comprehensive tax reform bill was enacted into Chilean law.
The key changes set out in the bill which will impact the Group relate to corporation tax and withholding tax.
From 2017, two alternative taxation systems will apply – either the partially-integrated system or the
attributable system. Companies can elect to pay corporation tax and withholding tax under either system and
an election must be made by the end of 2016. The Chilean government is currently undertaking a review of the
tax reform, in order to determine whether aspects of the new tax systems can be simplified or improved.
It is expected that the Group’s effective tax rate will increase by around 2-3% from 2017 onwards when the
new system is adopted.
The Group’s effective tax rate for the first half of 2015 is 39.6% (H1 2014 – 33.2%) for continuing operations.
This is mainly due to the increase in the Chilean statutory corporate tax rate to 22.5% in 2015 (20% in H1 2014),
and higher net deferred tax charges which arise as the rate of Chilean corporate tax will increase to 24% in 2016
and 27% from 2017 onwards.
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation for the first half of 2015 is $253.0 million, $11.4 million higher than the same period last year, but
$73.7 million lower than in the second half of 2014 when Michilla’s assets were written-down to zero ahead of
the planned mine closure and the depreciation of capitalised stripping costs (under IFRIC 20) at Centinela was
lower.
COST REDUCTIONS
The Group continues to focus on cost control at each of the operations and projects, building on the savings
that were achieved in 2014. The review of all costs including the supply chain, work practices and use of
contractors continued in the first half of 2015 and further operational and capital cost savings have been
identified.
Work continues on centralising and simplifying the supply chain and the current focus of the Group’s
cost-reduction programme is on establishing common maintenance practices across all operations, improving the
productivity of service contracts by re-engineering and streamlining processes where appropriate, improving
the efficiency of the corporate centre (for example by consolidating supply management for the Group’s
operations, major projects and exploration activities) and improving energy efficiency across the Group in terms
of both cost and consumption.
Cost savings have also been captured in relation to the supply of goods through agreements with major
suppliers. The Group is also using high-performance steel grinding media at Los Pelambres and Centinela which
are sourced from China and the central procurement department has allocated resources to source specific
product categories directly from Chinese suppliers.
The Group is targeting savings of approximately $160 million in 2015 as a result of its cost-saving and
productivity initiatives and as at 30 June 2015 approximately 44% of these had been achieved.
SAFETY
Sadly, during the first half of the year one of our contractors was involved in a fatal accident at Michilla.
Antofagasta management and staff extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of Sergio Bruna Cortés who
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taken to safeguard the Group’s employees and contractors. The Group remains committed to achieving zero
fatalities and is continually working to strengthen and deepen the safety culture at all of the operations under
the Group Safety and Health model. This model aims to eliminate fatalities and increase safety awareness by
focusing on critical activities and controls, increasing organisational learning and emphasising responsibility,
accountability and proactive risk control measures.
Further information on the Group’s effort to support and develop safety culture within the business is set out
on pages 53-54 of the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts.
OUTLOOK
As previously announced, the Group has reduced full year copper production guidance to 665,000 tonnes to
reflect the delayed commissioning and ramp-up at Antucoya. As a result of lower production and lower
by-products prices, particularly molybdenum and gold, net cash cost guidance for the Group has been updated to
$1.47/lb. From 2016 onwards we expect growth in production driven by Antucoya, the expansion at Centinela
Concentrates and the addition of Zaldivar.
The copper market is largely in balance with a small surplus expected in the second half of 2015 as demand is
expected to improve following a very weak first half. In China, credit tightness over the last year or so has
impacted demand and the focus is now on government policies incentivising industrial activity and
consumption. This government economic stimulation, especially through investment programmes, significantly
impacts both supply and demand and this is further impacted by global macroeconomic issues. In the medium
to longer term the Group remains confident that steady demand growth from emerging markets – notably
China, where we anticipate considerable additional spend on its power infrastructure in coming years –
combined with the current slowdown in investment in new mine expansions will lead to a shortfall in supply
and support a recovery in the copper prices.
The molybdenum price fell 32.2% in the first half of 2015 as demand from the oil industry weakened and in
anticipation of new production from recently commissioned projects. In the short term the price is expected to
remain at current levels.
This year will continue to be a year of prudence as the Group continues to capture operational and capital cost
savings.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTS
MINING DIVISION
LOS PELAMBRES
Operating profit
Operating profit at Los Pelambres was $309.8 million in the first half of 2015, compared with $661.0 million in
the first six months of 2014. This decrease in profitability is explained by lower realised copper prices which
decreased from $3.04/lb to $2.51/lb and reduced revenue by $219.9 million, lower production as a result of
disruptions following the actions of protesters in the first quarter of 2015 that impacted production by some
8,000 tonnes, lower grades and higher net cash costs due to lower gold production and lower realised
molybdenum prices, which more than halved year-on-year.
Production
Copper production was 169,400 tonnes in the first half of 2015, compared with 196,600 tonnes in the same
period last year. This 13.8% decrease was mainly due to disruptions following the actions of protesters in the
first quarter of 2015 and lower recoveries and grades.
Molybdenum production of 4,700 tonnes was higher in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period last
year, due to significantly higher grades as mining entered a new higher-grade phase of the pit. Gold production
was 33.6% lower in the first half of 2015 at 22,300 ounces produced, compared with 33,600 ounces in the first
six months of 2014.
Costs
Cash costs before by-product credits were $1.67/lb in the first half of the year, $0.05/lb higher than in the same
period last year. This 3.1% increase was mostly due to lower production, partly offset by lower energy prices
and the depreciation of the Chilean peso. Net cash costs for the first half of 2015 were $1.36/lb, compared with
$1.21/lb in the first half of 2014 mainly due to lower gold production and lower realised molybdenum prices.
Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure in the first six months of 2015 was $92.8 million, which included new mine equipment and
infrastructure.
Legal update – Mauro tailings dam
Since the Mauro tailings dam began operating in 2008 there have been a series of legal claims by some
members of the local community at Caimanes who are seeking to stop the operation of the dam. Two of these
claims are ongoing and allege that the dam interferes with the rights of the Caimanes community; the first
claims that it affects the flow and quality of the Pupío stream, and the second that the tailings dam wall would
not withstand an extreme seismic event.
These claims have been through various courts and stages of appeal, but Los Pelambres has always complied
with all applicable laws, regulations and controls
and successfully defended its right to continue operating the
dam.
Claim that the dam affects the flow and quality of the Pupío stream
In March 2015 the trial Court of Los Vilos ruled that Los Pelambres’ plan of works to ensure that the operation
of the tailings dam does not affect the normal flow and quality of the Pupío stream was insufficient and ordered
Los Pelambres to destroy part, or all, of the tailings dam wall. Los Pelambres has appealed the Court’s decision
and a decision on the appeal by the Court of Appeals of La Serena is expected in the second half of this year.
Claim that the dam wall would not withstand extreme seismic events
In May 2015, the Court of Appeals of La Serena reversed a previous ruling by the trial Court of Los Vilos
concluding that the design, construction and operation of the Mauro tailings dam had been properly
undertaken according to best practices and that there was no evidence or indication that the dam constituted a
threat to the Caimanes community.
Legal update – Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump
In 2004, Los Pelambres received all of the required authorisations from the Chilean government to deposit a
waste-rock dump (“Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump”) in its current location which, according to the then official
Chilean maps (1996), was located within Chile. In 2007 Chile modified the official maps in this area without
making the changes public. Los Pelambres stopped using the relevant area of the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump in
2011.
In February 2012, a binational border commission, established to clarify the exact position of the
Chile/Argentina border, determined accurately the location of the border in the area of the Cerro Amarillo
Waste Dump, which showed that part of the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump was now located in Argentina.
In May 2014 Xstrata Pachón S.A. (“Xstrata Pachón”), a subsidiary of Glencore and the holder of the mining
properties on the Argentinian side of the border, filed a claim against Los Pelambres before the Federal Court of
San Juan, Argentina, alleging that Los Pelambres had unlawfully deposited waste-rock on its property.
Xstrata Pachón has also filed a criminal complaint before a different Federal Court of San Juan alleging that Los
Pelambres has violated several Argentinian laws relating to the misappropriation of land, unlawful
appropriation of water bodies and that people’s health is in jeopardy from the alleged contamination that the
Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump might generate.
In both cases, Los Pelambres has submitted preliminary objections to the Argentinian courts, which are still
pending. Once they are resolved, each party may appeal to higher courts.
The Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump is a pile of inert waste rock and any potential future environmental impact
could be easily prevented with the implementation of an environmental closure plan, which is the accepted and
recommended practice. Los Pelambres has offered to implement a closure plan in line with the requirements of
the Provincial Authorities of San Juan, but Xstrata Pachón has rejected this proposal outright, even though this
solution would address all of the alleged environmental concerns.
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Los Pelambres will exercise all available legal avenues to defend its position and will continue to seek to reach
an understanding with the relevant authorities in Argentina to allow the environmental closure of the Cerro
Amarillo Waste Dump.
Details of certain legal claims are set out in Note 19 to the half yearly results below.
CENTINELA
Operating profit
The operating profit at Centinela in the first six months of 2015 was $66.3 million, compared with $285.4
million in the same period last year. Whilst net cash costs were in line with the first half of 2014 supported by
higher gold grades and recoveries, the realised copper price decreased from $3.09/lb in first half of 2014 to
$2.56/lb in the same period in 2015 impacting revenues by $154.1 million.
Production
Centinela produced 118,400 tonnes of copper in the first half of 2015 compared with 128,300 tonnes in the first
half of 2014
as a result of lower throughput at the concentrator plant and lower grades at Centinela Cathodes,
partly offset by higher grades at Centinela Concentrates.
Copper in concentrate production for the first six months of the year was 4.7% lower compared with the same
period last year at 78,400 tonnes reflecting lower throughput as a result of a shutdown following unexpected
heavy rains in the Atacama desert and scheduled maintenance, partly offset by higher grades.
Sales were some
7,900 tonnes lower than production as heavy ocean swells delayed shipments at the period end, but have been
made up during July as weather conditions improved.
Gold production in the first half of the year was in line with the same period last year as lower throughput was
offset by higher grades and recoveries.
Costs
Compared with the first six months of 2014, cash costs before by-product credits were 1.4% lower, mainly as a
result of the ‘one-off’ signing bonuses paid to employees following the conclusion of labour negotiations in Q2
2014 and lower costs following the merger of Esperanza and El Tesoro into Minera Centinela, partly offset by
higher TC/RCs. Net cash costs for the first half of 2015 were in line with those in the same period last year
primarily reflecting higher gold grades and recoveries.
Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure in the first six months of 2015 was $222.9 million, which included approximately $76.1
million related to the expansion to throughput of 105,000 tonnes per day, $45.3 million related mine
equipment and spare parts and $52.6 million related to stripping works at the Tesoro Central pit.
MICHILLA
Operating profit
Michilla had an operating profit of $10.6 million in the first six months of 2015, in comparison to $9.7 million in
the same period last year. The operating profit was supported by an improvement in Michilla’s cash costs,
which fell from $2.38/lb in the first half of 2014 to $2.25/lb in the same period in 2015 reflecting higher grades
and lower input costs.
Production
Copper production at Michilla was 15,600 tonnes during the first six months of 2015, 32.8% lower than in the
same period last year primarily as a result of significantly lower throughput as the mine comes towards its date
of closure, partly offset by higher grades and increased production from secondary leaching.
Costs
Cash costs for the first half of 2015 were $2.25/lb compared with $2.38/lb in the first half of 2014. This
decrease was primarily due to higher grades and lower input costs, partly offset by lower production.
Closure
GROWTH PROJECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Group seeks growth in Chile and abroad through the development of projects and other growth
opportunities with a focus on value. The Group’s primary focus is on brownfield development to ensure that
potential production from the Los Pelambres and Centinela district’s is maximised through debottlenecking and
incremental expansions. The Group also has a portfolio of longer-term growth options which are currently
being evaluated as part of several pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Given the early-stage nature of some of
these projects, their potential and timing are inherently uncertain, therefore the following outline is only
intended to provide a high-level indication of potential opportunities.
The Group’s exploration and evaluation expenditure in the first six months of 2015 was $56.1 million in
comparison to expenditure in the same period last year of $93.4 million with reduced evaluation expenditure at
Twin Metals and lower exploration expenditure both in Chile and internationally, where several joint ventures
have been terminated.
Projects under construction
Antucoya
Antucoya is an oxide deposit located approximately 45km east of Michilla in Chile’s Antofagasta Region. The
Group has a 70% economic interest in the project.
The project is now in commissioning, however, production has been delayed by unexpected levels of dust in the
crusher circuits and issues relating to the tripper in the tertiary crushers and, as a result, crushers have been
operating at less than full capacity during the commissioning phase. Rectification work is underway to improve
the performance of the tripper and control the dust emissions to allow the crushers to operate at full capacity
and to reach full production of 85,000 tonnes per year of copper cathodes.
By the end of June, approximately 725,000 million tonnes of crushed material were stacked on the heap,
however as a result of these delays, production for the year is now expected to be 10,000 tonnes, reduced from
40,000 tonnes. Cash costs are expected to be approximately $1.80/lb for the first five years of full production.
The mine plan includes proved and probable ore reserves of 615.0 million tonnes of 0.35% copper (using a
cut-off grade of 0.16%) over the 20-year mine life.
Total construction costs, pre-financing, for the project are within the budget of $1.9 billion, of which
approximately $1.8 billion has been incurred up to 30 June 2015.
Molybdenum Plant
During the first half of the year, the feasibility study on the construction of a separate molybdenum plant at
Centinela has been completed and the permitting process is now underway. The plant is expected to come into
production in the first quarter of 2017 producing some 2,400 tonnes of molybdenum a year for the first five
years, before it increases once the second concentrator at Centinela is completed to approximately 6,500
tonnes per year.
Encuentro Oxides
Construction of Encuentro Oxides is underway and will provide feed for Centinela’s cathode plant. It is expected
to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes of copper cathode per year over an eight-year period and allow the
existing cathode plant to maintain its annual output at approximately 100,000 tonnes for the remainder of the
mine life. Importantly the Encuentro Oxides project also acts as a funded pre-strip of the sulphide deposit that
lies below that will be processed at Centinela’s second concentrator, when it is built.
The main capital expenditure items of the project include the open pit mine, a crushing circuit, heap leach
facilities and a pipeline to take the copper-rich solution to the existing Centinela SX-EW plant for processing.
Additionally, a run-of-mine (“ROM”) heap will be developed later for lower-grade copper ore.
The project is on time and on budget, with pre-stripping now well advanced and first production expected in
late 2016.
Total capital costs for the project are expected to be $636 million, of which $148.8 million has been incurred up
to 30 June 2015.
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Brownfield growth projects
The Group recognises the importance of optimising production from existing operations and, as such, is focused
on improving efficiency through debottlenecking and incremental plant expansions of its existing mines.
Brownfield expansions offer lower-risk, lower-capital intensive operational performance and the Group has
three main brownfield projects at its existing operations.
Centinela incremental expansion to 105,000tpd
During the first half of the year, work continued on the optimisation of Centinela concentrator plant to increase
the level of throughput to 105,000 tonnes per day. This project, which includes the installation of additional
tailings thickeners, crushing equipment and new flotation cells, was expected to be completed in late 2015
however the unexpected heavy rains in the Atacama desert in March 2015 have delayed the completion of the
project by two months and the ramp-up to 105,000 tonnes a day is now expected to commence in early 2016.
The total capital expenditure required for this project is approximately $520 million, of which $412.9 million has
been spent as at 30 June 2015.
Centinela Second Concentrator
During the first half of the year, the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) on the Centinela Second
Concentrator was submitted to the relevant authorities. The second concentrator is expected to have a daily
ore throughput of approximately 90,000 tonnes, with annual copper, gold and molybdenum production of
140,000 tonnes, 150,000 ounces and 3,000 tonnes respectively. Production could commence in 2019 and the
pre-feasibility capital development costs estimated at $2.7 billion have not changed. The project is currently
undergoing internal review before moving to feasibility study stage in the second half of 2015.
Following the completion of the second concentrator in 2019, there is further scope to increase the plant
capacity by over 60% and metal production by a further 60,000 tonnes of copper, 20,000 ounces of gold and
3,000 tonnes of molybdenum. The Centinela Mining District remains a key focus area for the Group with over 8
billion tonnes of resources giving significant optionality as to how the district is developed in the future.
Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion
The feasibility study on the incremental brownfield expansion which would increase Los Pelambres’ daily plant
throughput from the current 175,000 tonnes per day to 205,000 tonnes per day, representing a 15% increase,
continued in the first half of 2015.
Data collection is underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) which is required by the Chilean
authorities as part of the development if this project and the EIA is expected to be submitted during 2016. The
feasibility study will be finalised upon approval of the EIA, as the outcome of the EIA may impact the content of
the feasibility study.
The brownfield expansion is necessary to provide additional grinding capacity without which the mine would
see a drop in throughput levels as the mine plan moves into a harder ore phase towards the end of the
decade. The capacity of the expansion is constrained by the increased proportion of harder ore in the mill feed,
which reduces the rate of throughput, and the maximum capacity of the conveyor that transports ore from the
pit to the concentrator plant. Average copper production will increase by 90-95,000 tonnes, with a net increase
in average production of approximately 40-45,000 tonnes of copper per year, over the production that would
have been achieved if there had been no increase in the hardness of the ore.
Following the agreement earlier in the year to install a desalination plant as part of the expansion, the current
estimate of the capital cost of the project is $1.6 billion.
Longer-term growth projects
Los Pelambres
Los Pelambres remains a world-class deposit with a resource base more than three times that of the current
mine plan. A full expansion could see a considerable increase in the current throughput capacity, however, the
Group’s current focus remains on the nearer-term, incremental expansion.
An expansion of this scale and complexity will take time to progress requiring extensive permitting and the
support of the local communities. Currently, no significant evaluation work is planned.
United States – Twin Metals
Twin Metals Minnesota LLC (“Twin Metals”) is a copper, nickel and platinum group metals (“PGM”)
underground-mining project which holds the Maturi, Maturi Southwest, Birch Lake and Spruce Road
copper-nickel PGM deposits in Minnesota, USA.
Optimisations of the pre-feasibility study, which was completed in June 2014, are being evaluated following the
Group’s acquisition of Duluth Metals Limited in January 2015 and the permitting process is advancing. It is
expected that the updated pre-feasibility study will be approved during the course of 2016 and the permitting
application will be submitted to the authorities in 2017. The project has significant reserves of copper and
nickel with a long mine life, and is a world-class deposit in terms of size. During the first half of 2015 a total of
$13.5 million (2014 half year $20.8 million) of expenditure was incurred on the project.
Other exploration and evaluation activities
The Group has a wide range of early-stage exploration activities in areas beyond the existing core locations of
the Centinela and Los Pelambres mining districts, both through its in-house exploration team and through
partnerships with third parties, in order to build a portfolio of longer-term opportunities across Chile and the
rest of the world.
Given the downturn in the copper price in 2014 and the first half of this year, the Group continues to identify
areas where it can capture cost savings. As a result, the Group has reduced its exploration and evaluation
expenditure in 2015 from $93.4 million in the first half of 2014 to $56.1 million.
Chile
The Group has prioritised its exploration activities in Chile to identify prospective targets on the main copper
porphyry belts in the northern and central regions and will advance several projects during the second half of
2015.
The total expenditure on exploration and evaluation activities in Chile during the first half of 2015 was $35.8
million (2014 half year - $61.5 million).
International
The Group has a portfolio of early-stage exploration interests held through a number of strategic alliances, joint
ventures and earn-in agreements with companies focused on exploration in their respective regions. The
Group’s approach is to partner with experienced junior exploration companies, funding their exploration
programmes and benefiting from their local expertise and knowledge.
During the first half of the year several joint ventures were terminated and as at 30 June 2015, the Group has
over 18 earn-in agreements and strategic alliances across Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.
International exploration expenditure during the first half of the year was $6.8 million (2014 half year - $11.1
million).
Energy Opportunities
Over the last few years the Group has acquired a series of interests in energy generators and projects as part of
its strategy to support the power supply requirements of the mining operations. The strategy has a particular
focus on renewable energy generation, supporting the Group’s broader aim of increasing the sustainability
of its operations.
El Arrayán
The Group has a 30% interest in Parque Eolico El Arrayán SpA (“El Arrayán”), approximately 400 km north of
Santiago which in June 2014 commissioned the largest wind farm in Chile and now supplies approximately 20%
(40MW) of Los Pelambres’ energy requirements under a 20-year supply contract.
Inversiones Hornitos
The Antofagasta Railway Company (“FCAB”) owns a 40% interest in Inversiones Hornitos SA (“Inversiones
Hornitos”), which operates the 165MW Hornitos thermoelectric power plant in Mejillones, in Chile’s
Antofagasta Region. Inversiones Hornitos supplies Centinela under long-term power purchase agreements
(“PPAs”).
11
Alto Maipo
The Group holds a 40% interest in the 531MW Alto Maipo run-of-river hydroelectric project located in the
upper section of the Maipo river, approximately 50km to the southeast of Santiago.
As part of the transaction, the Group signed two 20-year PPAs that will secure the provision of up to 160MW to
Los Pelambres. The first PPA started in January 2015 and the second will start at the end of 2018 on completion
of the Alto Maipo project.
Total capital costs for the project are expected to be $2.1 billion, of which approximately $250 million has been
incurred by the Group up to 30 June 2015.
Solar Energy
Last year Los Pelambres signed long-term PPAs with two solar power providers for a total of 50MW of power,
approximately 25% of its total energy requirement. Power has been provided to Los Pelambres under the first
of these PPAs since June 2015 and the second will start in the second half of 2016. These PPAs provide secure
renewable energy supply to Los Pelambres for a 20-year period.
TRANSPORT DIVISION
Total transport volumes in the first half of 2015 were 3.4 million tonnes compared with 3.5 million tonnes in
the first half of 2014, comprising 2.8 million tonnes of rail volumes (2014 half year – 2.9 million tonnes) and 0.6
million tonnes of road volumes (2014 half year – 0.6 million tonnes).
Revenue decreased by 9.0% to $84.1 million, following unexpected heavy rains in the Atacama region which
damaged the tracks the railway and stopped almost all operations for 15 days while repair work was carried
out. Consequently, operating profit decreased by 36.5% to $20.2 million.
WATER DIVISION
As mentioned above, the Group sold the water division on 2 June 2015.
FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
Results (unaudited)
Six months ended Six months ended Movement Movement
30.06.2015 $m 30.06.2014 $m $m % Revenue 1,785.9 2,601.8 (815.9) (31.4) EBITDA 561.6 1,093.5 (531.9) (48.6)
Depreciation, amortisation and disposals (253.0) (241.6) 11.4 4.7
Net finance expense (11.1) (23.6) (12.5) (53.0)
Profit before tax 297.3 820.8 (523.5) (63.8)
Income tax expense (117.8) (272.6) (154.8) (56.8)
Profit from continuing operations 179.5 548.2 (368.7) 67.3 Profit from discontinued operations 619.5 23.4 596.1 2,547.4 Earnings per share from continuing operations (US cents) 8.8 31.2 (22.4) (71.8) Earnings per share from discontinued operations (US cents) 62.8 2.4 60.4 2,516.7 Total earnings per share from continuing and discontinued
operations (US cents) 71.6 33.6 38.0 113.1
Net cash 743.6 (1.6) 742.2 -
A detailed segmental analysis of the components of the income statement is contained in Note 3 to the preliminary results announcement.
The following table reconciles between EBITDA in the first half of 2014 and the first half of 2015:
$m
EBITDA in the first half of 2014 1,093.5
Revenue
Decrease in copper volumes sold (297.5) Decrease in copper realised price (409.2)
Increase in tolling charges (7.7)
Decrease in revenue from copper concentrate and cathodes (714.4)
Decrease in gold revenues (40.5)
Decrease in silver revenues (14.7)
Increase in molybdenum revenues (38.0)
Decrease in revenue from by-products (93.2)
Decrease in transport division revenue (8.3)
Decrease in Group revenue (815.9)
Operating costs
Decrease in mining operational costs 241.5 Increase in charge for closure provisions (4.8) Decrease in exploration and evaluation costs 37.3 Decrease in other mining division costs and corporate costs 7.6
Decrease in operating costs for mining division 281.6
Decrease in transport division operating costs 2.4
Decrease in EBITDA (531.9)
13
Revenue
Group revenue in the first half of 2015 was $1,785.9 million, 31.4% below the $2,601.8 million achieved in the first half of 2014. The decrease of $815.9 million mainly reflected a decrease in the realised copper price and lower copper sales volumes, as well as lower by-product revenues.
Revenue from the mining division
Revenue from copper concentrate and copper cathodes
Revenue from copper concentrate and copper cathode sales decreased by $714.4 million, or 32.4%, to $1,498.8 million, compared with $2,204.1 million in first six months of 2014. The decrease reflected the impact of lower sales volumes and lower realised prices and increased tolling charges.
(i) Copper volumes
Copper sales volumes decrease from 343,400 tonnes in the first half of 2014 to 290,100 tonnes in this period. The decrease in sales volumes accounted for a decrease of $297.5 million in revenue from copper concentrate and cathode sales. (ii) Realised copper prices
The Group’s average realised copper price decreased to $2.54 per pound in first six months of 2015 (first six month of 2014 – $3.08 per pound). The level of decrease was higher than the reduction in the average LME copper price, which decreased to $2.69 per pound from $3.14 in 2013, due to a higher level of negative provisional pricing adjustments in the current period compared with the prior year. The decrease in average realised prices led to a $409.2 million reduction in revenue from copper concentrate and cathode sales.
Realised copper prices are determined by comparing revenue (gross of tolling charges for concentrate sales) with sales volumes in the period. Realised copper prices differ from market prices mainly because, in line with industry practice, concentrate and cathode sales agreements generally provide for provisional pricing at the time of shipment with final pricing based on the average market price for future periods (normally about 30 days after delivery to the customer in the case of cathode sales and up to 150 days after delivery to the customer in the case of concentrate sales). Realised copper prices also reflect the impact of realised gain or losses of commodity derivative instruments hedge accounted for in accordance with IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurements”.
Provisional pricing adjustments decreased initially invoiced sales (before adjusting for tolling charges) by $109.2 million in first six months of 2015, compared with a decrease of $57.4 million in the first six months of 2014. The negative adjustment in the current period reflected the decrease in the copper price in first six months of 2015 and negative period-end mark to market adjustment reflecting the decrease in the price immediately prior to the period-end. Further details of provisional pricing adjustments are given in Note 4 to the half yearly financial report.
In first six months of 2015 revenue also includes a loss of $0.1 million (first six months of 2014 – gain of $8.2 million), mainly relating to commodity derivatives which matured during the year. Further details of hedging activity in the period are given in Note 4(b) to the half yearly financial report.
(iii) Tolling charges
Tolling charges for copper concentrate increased by $7.7 million to US$133.0 million in the first six months of 2015 from $125.3 million in the first six months of 2014. This reflected increased tolling charges at Los Pelambres and Centinela Concentrates (previously Esperanza), mainly due to an increase in average tolling charges during the period.
Tolling charges are deducted from concentrate sales in reporting revenue and hence the increase in these charges has had a negative impact on revenue.
Revenue from molybdenum, gold and other by-products
Revenue from by-products at Los Pelambres and Centinela Concentrates relate mainly to molybdenum and gold, and a lesser extent silver. Revenue from by-products decreased by $93.3 million or 30.6% to $212.0 million in the first half of 2015, compared with $305.3 million in the first half of 2014.
Revenue from gold in concentrate (net of tolling charges) was $129.1 million (first half of 2014 - $169.6 million), a decrease of $40.5 million, which mainly reflected a decrease in volumes as well as realised price. The realised gold price was $1,222.1 per ounce in the first half of 2015 compared with $1,355.3 per ounce in the first half of 2014, with the decrease largely reflecting the general reduction in average market prices. Gold sales volumes decreased from 125,200 ounces in the first half of 2014 to 106,000 ounces in this period, mainly due to the lower gold grades at Pelambres.
Revenue from molybdenum (net of roasting charges) was $59.7 million (first half of 2014 - $97.7 million), a decrease of $38.0 million. The decrease was mainly due to a lower realised price of $7.0 per pound (first half of 2014 - $14.8 per pound) partly offset by increased sales volumes of 4,400 tonnes (first half of 2014 – 3,200 tonnes).
Revenue from silver decreased by $14.8 million to $23.2 million in the first six month of 2015 (first six months of 2014 - $38.0 million). The decrease was due to lower sales volumes of 1.4 million ounces (first half of 2014 – 2.0 million ounces) as well as decreased realised silver price of $16.5 per ounce (first half of 2014 - $19.8 per ounce).
Revenue from the transport division
Revenue from the transport division (FCAB) decreased by $8.3 million or 9.0% to $84.1 million. This reflected a decrease in tonnages transported and the impact of the weaker Chilean peso.
Operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation and disposals)
Operating costs (excluding depreciation and amortisation) amounted to $1,224.3 million (first half of 2014 – $1,508.3 million), a decrease of $284.0 million. This was mainly due to lower mining operational costs, reduced exploration, evaluation and corporate costs, and lower sales volumes.
Operating costs (excluding depreciation and amortisation) at the mining division
Operating costs at the mining division decreased by $281.6 million to $1,174.1 million in the first six months of 2015, a decrease of 19.3%. Of this decrease, $241.5 million is attributable to lower mining operational costs. As explained above, copper sales volumes decrease from 343,400 tonnes in the first half of 2014 to 290,100 tonnes in this period.
In addition, weighted average unit cash costs for the Group excluding by-product credits (which are reported as part of revenue) and tolling charges for concentrates (which are deducted from revenue) decreased from $1.69/lb in first half of 2014 to $1.66/lb in this period.
Exploration and evaluation costs decreased by $37.3 million to $56.1 million (first half of 2014 – $93.4 million). This mainly reflected decreased exploration activity at the Centinela district in Chile and reduced expenditure at Twin Metals.
The income statement includes a charge for mine closure rehabilitation of $9.0 million (first half of 2014 – charge of $4.2 million). This mainly reflects higher costs at Michilla and to a lesser extent at Los Pelambres and Centinela in the period. Operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation and disposals) at the transport division
Operating costs at the transport division decreased by $2.4 million to $50.2 million. EBITDA and operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures
EBITDA
EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) from subsidiaries and joint ventures decreased by $531.9 million or 48.6% to $561.6 million in the first six months of 2015 (first six months of 2014 - $1,093.5 million).
EBITDA at the mining division decreased by 49.9% from $1,053.7 million in the first half of 2014 to $527.7 million in this period. As explained above, this was mainly due to the decrease in the realised copper price and copper volumes, partly offset by the lower unit cash cost and lower exploration and evaluation expenses.
EBITDA at the transport division decreased by $5.9 million to $33.9 million in the first half of 2015, mainly reflecting the decreased revenue as explained above and partly offset by lower operating costs.
Depreciation, amortisation and disposals
The depreciation, amortisation and disposals charge was slightly higher at $253.0 million (first half of 2014 - $241.6 million), with increased depreciation at Centinela partly offset by reduced depreciation at Michilla.
Operating profit from subsidiaries
As a result of the above factors, operating profit from subsidiaries decreased by 63.5% to $308.4 million. Share of results from associates and joint ventures
The Group’s share of results from its associates and joint ventures was a loss of $0.2 million (first half of 2014 – loss of $7.5 million). This mainly reflects lower expenditure in respect of the Energia Andina and Tethyan Copper joint ventures.
15
Net finance expense
Net finance expense in the first half of 2015 was $11.1 million, compared with a net finance expense of $23.6 million in the first half of 2014. Six months ended 30.06.15 $'m Six months ended 30.06.14 $'m Investment income 8.8 8.3 Interest expense (15.7) (27.9)
Other finance items (4.2) (4.0)
Net finance expense (11.1) (23.6)
Interest income increased from $8.3 million in first six months of 2014 to $8.8 million in first six months of 2015.
Interest expense decreased from $27.9 million in the first half of 2014 to $15.7 million in the first half of 2015, mainly due to a decrease of interest expense at Centinela due to a one-off interest expense in 2014 related to the renegotiation of the senior debt as well as lower interest expense at Los Pelambres.
Other finance items comprised a loss of $4.2 million (first half of 2014 – loss of $4.0 million). A gain of $0.1 million (first half of 2014 – loss of $3.3 million) has been recognised in respect of the time value element of changes in the fair value of commodity derivative options, which is excluded from the designated hedging relationship, and is therefore recognised directly in profit or loss. Foreign exchange gains included in finance items were $0.5 million in first half of 2015, compared with a gain of $6.7 million in first half of 2014. An expense of $4.8 million (first half of 2014 - $7.6 million) has been recognised in relation to the unwinding of the discount on provisions.
Profit before tax
As a result of the factors set out above, profit before tax decreased by $523.5 million or 63.8% to $297.3 million in the first half of 2015 compared with $820.8 million in the previous period.
Income tax expense
The tax charge in the first half of 2015 was $117.8 million (first half of 2014 – $272.6 million) and the effective tax rate was 39.6% (first half of 2014 – 33.2%). Six months ended Effectiv e Six months ended Effective 30.06.2014 tax rate 30.06.2014 tax rate
$m % $m %
Profit before tax from continuing operations 297.3 820.8 Taxes (Current and deferred)
Corporate tax (79.4) 26.7 (180.3) 22.0
Royalty (23.3) 7.8 (43.4) 5.3
Withholding tax (14.8) 5.0 (48.8) 5.9
Exchange rate (0.3) 0.1 (0.1) -
Total tax charge (117.8) 39.6 (272.6) 33.2
The effective rate of corporate tax was 26.7% compared to the statutory tax rate of 22.5%. The difference was principally due to deferred tax charges which arise as the rate of Chilean corporate tax will increase in future years, and the effect of items not deductible for corporate tax (principally exploration and evaluation expenditure outside of Chile). In addition, the overall effective tax rate reflects the Chilean mining royalty charge of $23.3 million and a withholding tax charge of $14.8 million. In the first half of 2014 the total charge was $272.6 million, with an overall effective tax rate of 33.2% compared with the statutory rate of corporate tax of 20%. The effective rate of corporate tax was 22.0% compared to the statutory rate of 20.0%, principally due to the impact of items not deductible for corporate tax. In addition, the overall effective tax rate in the first half of 2014 reflected a Chilean mining royalty charge of $43.4 million and a withholding tax charge of $48.8 million. Further details are given in Note 7 of the half yearly financial report.
Profit from discontinued operations
On 2 June 2015 the Group completed the disposal of the water division and the resulting profit of $619.5 million has been reflected as within profit from discontinued operations. The water division’s results have been restated for the comparative periods and therefore a profit of $23.4 million has been reflected for the first half of 2014. Further details are given in note 8 of the half yearly financial report.
Non-controlling interests
Profit for the first half of the year attributable to non-controlling interests was $93.2 million, compared with $240.8 million in the first half of 2014, reflecting the lower profit attributable to the non-controlling interests as a consequence of the decrease in the earnings of the mining operations analysed above.
Earnings per share
Six months ended 30.06.15 Six months ended 30.06.14 US cents US cents
Earnings per share from continuing operations 8.8 31.2
Earnings per share from discontinued operations 62.8 2.4
Total continuing and discontinued operations 71.6 33.6
Earnings per share calculations are based on 985,856,695 ordinary shares. As a result of the factors set out above, profit in the first half of 2015 attributable to equity shareholders of the Company was $705.8 million compared with $330.8 million in the first half of 2014. Accordingly, earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations were 71.6 cents in the first half of 2015 compared with 33.6 cents in first half of 2014, an increase of 113.1%.
Dividends
Dividends per share proposed in relation to the period are as follows:
Six months ended 30.06.15 Six months ended 30.06.14 US cents US cents Ordinary Interim 3.1 11.7 Final - -
Total dividends to ordinary shareholders 3.1 11.7
The Board determines the appropriate dividend each year based on consideration of the Group’s cash balance, the level of free cash flow and earnings generated during the year and significant known or expected funding commitments. It is expected that the total annual dividend for each year would represent a payout ratio based on net earnings for that year of at least 35%.
The Board has recommended a final dividend for the first half of 2015 of 3.1 cents per ordinary share, which amounts to $30.6 million and will be paid on 8 October 2015 to shareholders on the Register at the close of business on 18 September 2015.
Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure decreased by $168.0 million from $767.3 million in the first half of 2014 to $599.8 million in the period. This was mainly due to decreased construction costs at Antucoya which is now in commissioning, partly offset by increased expenditure in respect of the Encuentro Oxides project.
Derivatives financial instruments
The Group periodically uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to commodity price movements. At 30 June 2015, the Group had commodity swaps for 2,400 tonnes of copper production covering a total period up to 31 January 2016.
The Group also periodically uses interest rate swaps to swap the floating rate interest for fixed rate interest. At 30 June 2015 the Group had entered into contracts at Centinela for a maximum notional amount of $123 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 3.372 % fully maturing in August 2018. The Group had also entered into contracts in relation to a financing loan at Ferrocarril Antofagasta Bolivia for a maximum notional amount of $150 million at weighted average fixed rate of 1.634% fully maturing in August 2019.
17
Cash flows
The key features of the Group cash flow statement are summarised in the following table. Six months ended 30.06.15 Six months ended 30.06.14 $m $m
Cash flows from continuing and discontinued operations 807.7 1,170.0
Income tax paid (191.2) (389.0)
Net interest paid (10.6) (17.2)
Disposal of subsidiary 947.3 -
Capital contribution and loan to associates (39.4) (84.9)
Capital increase from non-controlling interest - 3.8
Change in ownership interest in subsidiary - (30.9)
Acquisition of available-for-sale investments - (1.5)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (662.3) (788.5)
Acquisition of mining properties (78.0) -
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - 0.6 Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company (96.6) (848.8)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests - (192.2)
Dividends from associate 6.6 20.0
Other items - 2.0
Changes in net cash relating to cash flows 683.5 (1,156.6)
Exchange and other non-cash movements 61.7 (7.5)
Movement in net cash in the period 745.2 (1,166.2)
Net cash at the beginning of the year (1.6) 1,311.2
Net cash at the end of the year 743.6 145.0
Cash flows from continuing and discontinued operations were $807.7 million in the first half of 2015 compared with $1,170.0 million in the first half of 2014. This reflected EBITDA for the period of $561.6 million (first half of 2014 – $1,093.5 million) adjusted for a net working capital decrease of $240.8 million (first half of 2014 – decrease of $41.7 million).
Cash tax payments in the first half of 2015 year were $191.2 million (first half of 2014 – $389.0 million), comprising corporate tax of $165.6 million (first half of 2014 – $99.0 million), mining tax of $11.7 million (first half of 2014 – $59.0 million) and withholding tax of $12.9 million (first half of 2014 – $231.1 million). These amounts differ from the current tax charge in the consolidated income statement of $117.8 million (first half of 2014 – $272.6 million) mainly because cash tax payments for corporate tax and the mining tax partly comprise the settlement of outstanding balances in respect of the previous year’s tax charge and payments on account for the current year based on the prior year profit levels.
Disposal of subsidiary of $947.3 million relates to the disposal Aguas de Antofagasta S.A., which carried out of the group’s water operations. Further details are given in Note 8 of the half yearly financial report.
Contributions and loans to associates and joint ventures of $39.4 million mainly relate to the Group’s share of the funding of the development of the Alto Maipo project.
Cash disbursements relating to capital expenditure in the first half of 2015 were $662.3 million compared with $788.5 million in the first half of 2014. This included expenditure of $175.4 million at Antucoya (first half of 2014 – $373.5 million), $233.6 million relating to Centinela (first half of 2014 – $223.8 million) and $101.8 million relating to Los Pelambres (first half of 2014 – $109.5 million).
Dividends paid to ordinary shareholders of the Company in the first half of 2015 were $96.6 million (first half of 2014 – $848.8 million), which related to the payment of the final dividend declared in respect of the previous year.
Financial position
At 30.06.15 At 30.06.14
$m $m
Cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments 3,220.0 2,264.4
Total borrowings (2,476.4) (2,119.4)
Net cash at the end of the period 743.6 145.0
At 30 June 2015 the Group had combined cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments of $3,220.0 million (30 June 2014 – $2,264.4 million). Excluding the non-controlling interest share in each partly-owned operation, the Group’s attributable share of cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments was $2,785.0 million (30 June 2014 – $1,864.2 million).
New borrowings in the first half of 2015 were $357.3 million (first half of 2014 – $1,167.9 million), including new short-term borrowings at Los Pelambres of $200.0 million and new long-term borrowings at Antucoya of $85.3 million. Repayments of borrowings and finance leasing obligations in the first half of 2015 were $188.6 million, relating mainly to repayments at Los Pelambres of $177.4 million.
Total Group borrowings at 30 June 2015 were $2,479.4 million (at 30 June 2014 – $2,119.4 million). Of this, $1,754.8 million (at 30 June 2014 – $1,460.7 million) is proportionally attributable to the Group after excluding the non-controlling interest shareholdings in partly-owned operations.
Foreign currency exchange differences
The principal subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the US dollar are Chilean peso denominated, of which the most significant was Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (“ADASA”), which was disposed of in June 2015. For the six months ended 30 June 2015 the currency translation loss recognised in net equity was $3.9 million (first six months ended 30 June 2014 – loss of $8.5 million) and reflect the effect between 1 January 2015 and the date of the disposal of ADASA.
Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with those factors likely to affect its future performance, are set out in the Review of Operations. Details of the cash flows of the Group during the period, along with its financial position at the period-end are set out in this Financial Review. The half yearly financial report includes details of the Group’s cash, cash equivalent and liquid investment balances in Note 18, and details of borrowings are set out in Note 15.
In assessing the Group’s going concern status the Directors have taken into account the above factors, including the financial position of the Group and in particular its significant balance of cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments, the borrowing facilities (including the undrawn committed facilities) in place and their terms, the current copper price and market expectations in the medium-term, the Group’s expected operating cost profile and the its capital expenditure and financing plans.
After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors consider that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the half yearly financial report.
19
Principal risks and uncertainties
There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Group’s performance over the remaining six months of the financial year and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. The Directors do not consider that the principal risks and uncertainties have changed since the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2014. A detailed explanation of the risks summarised below can be found in the Risk Management section of that annual report which is available at www.antofagasta.co.uk. Key headline risks relate to the following:
Community relations
Strategic resources
Operational risks
Development projects
Political, legal and regulatory risks
Health and safety
Environmental management
Growth opportunities
Commodity prices
Foreign currency exchange
Identification of new mineral resources
Ore reserves and mineral resources estimates
Talent and labour relations
Cautionary statement about forward-looking statements
This half yearly financial report contains certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include those regarding the Group’s strategy, plans, objectives or future operating or financial performance; reserve and resource estimates; commodity demand and trends in commodity prices; growth opportunities; and any assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing. Words such as “intend”, “aim”, “project”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are beyond the Group’s control. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, actual results could differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, which speak only as at the date of this report. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include: global economic conditions; demand, supply and prices for copper; long-term commodity price assumptions, as they materially affect the timing and feasibility of future projects and developments; trends in the copper mining industry and conditions of the international copper markets; the effect of currency exchange rates on commodity prices and operating costs; the availability and costs associated with mining inputs and labour; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations; litigation; and actions and activities of governmental authorities, including changes in laws, regulations or taxation. Except as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, the Group does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 December
30 June 2015 30 June 2014 2014
(Unaudited) (Restated
/Unaudited) (Restated)
Notes $m $m $m
Group revenue 2,3 1,785.9 2,601.8 5,165.5
Total operating costs (1,477.3) (1,749.9) (3,587.3)
Operating profit from subsidiaries 2,3 308.6 851.9
